Former Town player O'Brien grabs winner for Monaghan
Monaghan Utd 1 Athlone Town 0
An early strike from former player Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien ensured Athlone Town's return to action following the mid-season break ended in defeat against Monaghan Utd at Gortakeegan on Friday night.
The visitors will be disappointed not to have earned a point from their first outing in nearly three weeks as they dominated play during the second half, but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal as United held onto their early lead until the finish.
With league leaders Shelbourne facing a tricky trip to Turners Cross to take on second placed Cork City (which they ultimately lost), Monaghan were looking to take advantage of any slip-up by their nearest rivals. However, this incentive failed to have the desired impact as the opening half was slow to come to life, but the home side struck for what proved to be the winning score with 10 minutes gone.
The first chance of the game fell to Jordan Keegan but his left wing cross from the left was cleared behind by Joe Woods, as United earned the first corner kick of the contest. A second home corner followed soon after with Monaghan then hitting the front following good work down the right flank.
Sean Brennan carried the danger to the Town rearguard and from his right wing cross, Declan O'Brien flicked the ball to the net from close range, with a Town defender unable to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line.
It was a poor score to concede from an Athlone point of view with the recalled Michael Schlingermann, apparently the subject of recent interest from Monaghan, less than convincing as he failed to deal with the dangerous ball played in by Brennan.
Undeterred, however, Athlone tried hard to get back on level terms with the busy Jason Hughes only denied a clean strike on goal by Eric Foley whose good block sent the ball behind for Athlone's first corner after 18 minutes. Soon after Kevin Williamson sent a low ball from the left across the goalmouth with the Town captain again in action after 28 minutes when he picked out Hughes at the far post with a neat pass, but the number ten failed to properly connect with the ball and the danger was averted.
Just after the half hour mark, some desperate home defending denied the Town an equaliser. Hughes initially earned a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and although Williamson's delivery hit the defensive wall the ball broke kindly for Declan Fallon and his first time strike was headed out for a corner kick by Alan Byrne.
On 33 minutes, goalkeeper Schlingermann was seen to better effect when he got down well to push behind a Keith Quinn shot that threatened to sneak inside the post. However, six minutes from the break the Town 'keeper had the woodwork to thank as the crossbar denied United a second goal their performance to date scarcely deserved. Quinn created the opening for O'Brien and his deft chip over the goalkeeper was just too high as it clipped the crossbar and bounced clear.
Having earlier reached double figures for the season with the opening goal, O'Brien looked to add to his tally before the break and the last chance of the half saw the home striker shoot over from close range.
The second half saw Athlone push forward in greater numbers with Monaghan relieved to hear the final whistle as they held onto their slender lead. Mike Kerley's men were eager from the restart and Wayne Colbert created an early opening when he sent in a nice cross to the far post. Top scorer Noel McGee was introduced after 56 minutes and Athlone now looked more likely to find the net, with some much needed help for Hughes and David Ryan up front. Monaghan were still a threat and two chances in a minute just after the hour mark might have ended the game as a contest. Keegan's initial goalmouth volley was blocked and Schlingermann then did well to save the follow-up effort from Shane Grimes.
O'Brien's confident strike was then tipped behind by Schlingermann. Midway through the half, Athlone had their best chance of the second period when McGee looked set to make it number four of the season after Ryan's cross from the left had picked out the substitute in front of the target. Once more, however, the experienced Alan Byrne was well placed to get a block on the strike as United lived dangerously.
A rare home chance saw John Reilly fire over but with three recognised strikers now in the action, a goal from Athlone always looked the more likely outcome. After 83 minutes, Mark Sherlock tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area but his effort just shaved the post, with Gabriel Sava scrambling desperately across his goalmouth in an attempt at making a save.
After Hughes fired over as full-time approached, Monaghan might have sealed victory as Athlone faltered but from a low cross by Michael Isichei, David Byrne could only direct a weak shot straight at the 'keeper.
Three additional minutes were indicated and Athlone had a final attempt at grabbing a share of the spoils before the full-time whistle sounded. United were penalised outside the penalty area and as Athlone threw caution to the wind for the resulting free kick, a comeback still looked possible. With nearly all 22 players inside the home half, Williamson lined up for a pop at goal but his strike flew wide with the final whistle sounding soon after.
MONAGHAN UTD: Gabriel Sava; Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes, Alan Byrne, Aidan Collins, Eric Foley, John Reilly, Keith Quinn, Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien, Sean Brennan, Jordan Keegan. Subs: Michael Isichei for Whelan (68 mins), David Byrne for O'Brien (86), Jason Marks for Keegan (92).
ATHLONE TOWN: Michael Schlingermann; Declan Fallon, Jamie Carr, Joe Woods, Paul Danaher, Conor Kavanagh, Wayne Colbert, Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Jason Hughes, David Ryan. Subs: Noel McGee for Relihan (56 mins), Mark Sherlock for Kavanagh (69), Gary Higgins for Fallon (74).
REFEREE: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
